Monthly Archives: March 2014

Today is Neypi, the day of silence. The evening before Nyepi the Balinese people have driven away the evil spirits with big and small scary ugly statues, loud music and burning torches.

Balinese men carry the statues to a crossroad or T-junction and rotate clockwise three times to scare off the evil spirits so they leave Bali. They call this procession Ogho-Ogho.

After Ogho-Ogho Nyepi, the day of silence, starts. On Nyepi nobody is allowed to work, no lights, no cooking, no watching tv, no use of cars or other transport even airplanes are not allowed to land on Bali. Because of the silence and the darkness in the night the evil spirits can’t find the way back to Bali.

For more interested information about Ogho Ogho or Neypi day you will find on Wikipedia.

Balinese men waiting in anticipation of the Ogho Ogho procession to start

Melasti Ceremony is a Hindu religious ceremony to purify Bhuana Alit (small world) and Bhuana Agung (the universe). This ceremony is performed with a parade procession followed by thousands of Hindu people by bringing all the equipment ceremonies and the symbol of gods to the sea or other water sources that are believed by Hindus as a place to purify all the elements of this universe. The usual symbols of gods brought to the sea are Keris, spears, banners (Umbul-umbul), statues, Barong etc. This procession is one of the unique Hindu ceremonies where the procession was followed by thousands of Hindus who wear the clothes and other accessories in white to indicate the purity.

On 28th of March 2014 Melasti Ceremony took place in Bali. When I am in Bali I try to go to this ceremony. The ceremony is very impressive. The Balinese people are beautifully dressed. The temple elements are colorful and carried by Balinese men. Every were you hear the gamelan music being played. The beautiful women carry food or fruit on their head. The children are all dressed in traditional clothes and look amazing, so beautiful. I was happy I could join also this year for Melasti.